Eating Smock

ABSTRACT

An improved smock made up of fabric with waterproof absorbent lining underneath with closure mechanism, with the fabric on the top making the smock comfortable to wear. The smock is provided with a closure mechanism which is a full Velcro placed at the back side of smock such that the child wearing the smock cannot remove it easily while eating. The smock is worn like a tank top and looks like a shirt bringing less embarrassment to adults or children using it.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not applicable.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable.

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(1) Field of Invention

This invention is related to the art of protective apparel and, more specifically, to smocks for young and small children.

(2) Background of Invention

Neck smocks are often used with young children in order to keep the child clean while eating or engaging in other activities that are often messy. Such smocks known in the art typically attach at the neck, and are often made of absorbent material, such as terrycloth, and cover the upper chest. Some improved smocks utilize waterproof or water repellent material.

There is a prior art that describes an apron that protects the wearer from food and drink spillage. The apron is formed of a relatively thin sheet of material that has tape or other means to close the neck closure portion and seal the sides of the pocket portion, in the event that heat sealing is not used. This apron may be provided inexpensively with fast food meals and/or dispensed from a container that has a number of aprons packaged separately.

However, young children may not find said smocks desirable to wear. Since these smocks utilize smock portions near the neck, children often find them uncomfortable. In addition, smocks that have neck connectors can be removed when a child reaches around to the back of their neck. This can be especially true of older infants, who have learned to remove their neck smocks. In addition, such smocks do not effectively catch food and liquid, as their pockets and can collapse when worn over the lap.

In another prior art, there is a baby smock that describes a body portion of semi-rigid plastic material that has a spillage collector. Smocks made of semi-rigid plastic material are not preferred for use with young children. Such smocks are typically difficult to clean, as the inside of the scoop can be difficult to scrub if made of soft and/or flexible materials. In addition, known smocks are typically only effective when worn around the neck, and extend only as far as the waist.

These smocks are made of flexible material so that they can be machine-washable and extend to protect the lap; however, they do not hold their shape when worn, especially when the wearer is sitting.

In another prior art, a baby smock is disclosed that has a panel of absorbent material, and a pocket at a lower edge to collect materials that fall onto the smock and are not retained by the panel. The smock has a chest covering surface that has a panel of waterproof, yet gas-permeable material. The first panel includes an integral neck opening and the means associated with the neck opening to adjust the opening around the baby's neck. The edge of the neck opening includes the means to provide a close yet comfortable fit around the neck. A second panel, formed of a liquid-absorbent material, overlies the first panel, and is smaller than the first panel. The smaller panel is inset from the border of the first panel. An integral liquid collection pocket is formed at the lower end of the first panel that may overlie the lower portion of the second panel, and collects liquid that falls onto the smock and is not otherwise absorbed by the second panel. The second panel is attached to the first panel, and may be separated from the first panel for replacement or washing.

Accordingly, there is a need for an improved smock that is suitable for use with young children. More particularly, there is a need for a smock that can protect the clothing or apparel of young children.

Therefore, the current invention proposed a novel smock for smaller and younger children in a form of a tank top.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an objective of the present invention to provide a cloth that would work as a smock for smaller and younger children.

It is the purpose of the present invention to provide a new and improved smock that has improved comfort and protection characteristics over conventional smock designs. Another purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved baby smock that has an absorbent portion to protect the underlying clothes.

Therefore, it is an objective of the present embodiment of the invention to provide a new and improved smock that has all of the advantages of the prior art, and none of the disadvantages.

It is another objective of the present embodiment of the invention to provide a new and improved smock that may be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

Numerous objects, features, and advantages of the present embodiment of the invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of the presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present embodiment of the invention. The description should be considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiment of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the embodiment of the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description, or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments, and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions, and should not be regarded as limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood, and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent, when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of an eating smock.

FIG. 2 is a side view of an eating smock with a side armhole.

FIG. 3 is a back view of an eating smock that employs Velcro for closure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments are described hereinafter with reference to the figures. It should be noted that the figures are not drawn to scale, and that the elements of similar structures or functions are represented by reference numerals throughout the figures. It should also be noted that the figures are only intended to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended to be an exhaustive description of the invention, or as limitations on the scope of the invention. In addition, an illustrated embodiment does not need to have all of the aspects or advantages shown. An aspect, or an advantage, described in conjunction with a particular embodiment is not necessarily limited to that embodiment, and can be practiced in any other embodiments even if they are not illustrated or specifically described.

As per given figures, the invention is an advanced smock that looks like a tank top FIGS. 1 and 2, and can be worn as a tank top. The invention will look like a shirt with front panel having of waterproof liner under the fabric allowing larger children to wear it without any embarrassment. As it shown on FIG. 2 the tank top has two side armholes 2 for baby's or smaller child's arms. Velcro lock 3 on the back side of an eating smock facilitates closure of the tank top FIG. 3. This design also prevents babies from pulling it of while eating. This will alleviate the need for parents to constantly reapply the smock. The invention is a water proof smock that provides extra comfort to small children.

One of the advantages of the present invention is that the smock offers protection to a baby's skin from rashes caused by food spills. A baby's skin is very sensitive. Every time a baby burps milk or food, there is a chance that the spills might come in contact with his or her skin. This spill can actually cause skin rashes. Even small amounts of baby food that comes in contact with a baby's skin can result in allergies and/or rashes. Baby smocks disclosed in the invention guarantee a solid defense for baby's skin, and prevent skin rashes due to spilling. The entire surface of baby's upper body is covered with the smock FIG. 1-3.

Baby smocks are also cost-effective; the cost of the manufacturing an individual baby smock is significantly lower than the other items in a baby's wardrobe, so long as an unexpansive water proof fabric of reasonably good quality can be used.

Another advantage of the present invention is protection of the baby's clothes from staining. Young parents often have to stretch their dollars in order to fund their little, yet expensive, addition to the family. Baby smocks help prevent ruined clothing, and thus save parents money in the long run. Moreover, the current invention has novel closure that children cannot remove easily while eating. The Velcro lock is placed on the back of the smock and cannot be reached by the child without the parents or caregiver's help.

It is to be understood that the above description is intended to be illustrative, and not restrictive. For example, the above-discussed embodiments may be used in combination with each other. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.

The benefits and advantages which may be provided by the present invention have been described above with regard to specific embodiments. These benefits and advantages, and any elements or limitations that may cause them to occur or to become more pronounced are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential features of any or ail of the embodiments.

While the present invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative, and that the scope of the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions, and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions, and improvements fall within the scope of the invention. 

We claim:
 1. A smock, comprising a front panel and a back panel, said front panel being of an elongated construction, having a first, inwardly-lying, water-resistant layer and a second, outwardly-lying fabric layer and said back panel being of an elongated construction having said first outwardly-lying fabric layer.
 2. The smock of claim 1, wherein said front and said back panel form two side armholes for baby's arms.
 3. The smock of claim 1, wherein said back panel having Velcro lock in the middle of said back panel.
 4. The smock of claim 1 wherein a top edge of said front panel attached to a top edge of said back panel and each side of said front panel attached to corresponding sides of said back panel. 